The main manifestations of advanced esophageal cancer

Advanced esophageal cancer refers to esophageal cancer that has developed to the middle stage. So, what symptoms will patients with esophageal cancer in this stage show?

Food retention and foreign body sensation

When the patient swallows food or drinks water, the food or water moves slowly down, and there is a feeling of food being stuck in the esophagus, and a tightness behind the sternum. These feelings have little to do with the nature of the food, and they occur more often in the upper and middle parts of the esophagus. This phenomenon may be caused by a small, diffuse spasm or stiffness of the esophageal wall, a decrease in the dilation of the esophagus, or it may be caused by varying degrees of inflammation of the esophagus.

Caused by pain behind the sternum or under the xiphoid process

When the patient swallows food, there is a pain behind the sternum or under the xiphoid process. The pain is usually burning or pricking. This feeling is more obvious when swallowing rough, hot or irritating food. The initial pain is intermittent. With the infiltration of cancer cells, there may be severe and continuous pain. The pain is not completely consistent with the location of the esophageal lesion.

Choking sensation when swallowing

This is a common symptom of advanced esophageal cancer. When the patient swallows food, it seems that something is blocking the food from going down, causing a choking feeling. This feeling can disappear and recur on its own and will not affect the patient's eating.

Food regurgitation

The amount of food reflux is not large and contains food and mucus, but may also contain blood and pus.

other

A small number of patients may experience symptoms such as discomfort behind the sternum, back pain and belching.